Review of Xiaomi 12S Ultra Phone Camera Quality

With a sensor size of up to 1 inch, does the photo quality captured by the Xiaomi 12S Ultra satisfy users? Explore this review of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra camera below.

1. Evaluation of Xiaomi 12S Ultra Phone Camera Equipment

1.1 Hardware Overview of Xiaomi 12S Ultra Camera

Xiaomi 12S Ultra Phone is equipped with a primary camera system consisting of 3 lenses, including:

– Main camera 50.3 MP, aperture f/1.9, 23mm, 1.0″ sensor, 1.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, with optical image stabilization OIS;

– Ultra-wide-angle camera 48 MP, aperture f/2.2, 13mm, 1/2.0″ sensor, 0.8µm, Dual-Pixel PDAF;

– Telephoto camera 48 MP, aperture f/4.1, 120mm, 1/2.0″ sensor, 0.8µm, PDAF, with optical image stabilization OIS, integrated 5x optical zoom;

In addition, the device is equipped with a TOF 3D depth sensor.

The front camera of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is a 32 MP sensor, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm.

Let's talk a bit about the sensors on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, with the most prominent being the 1-inch main sensor of the device, namely the Sony IMX989. However, you should note that the term '1 inch' does not refer to the sensor diameter being 1 inch, but rather a naming convention by Sony.

Nevertheless, this 1-inch sensor is still 30% larger than the main sensor size on the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra and 86% larger than the main sensor used on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. It's also three times larger than the main sensor used on the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

It's worth noting that Xiaomi 12S Ultra isn't the first phone to feature a 1-inch sensor; previously, we had the Sharp Aquos R6 (sold exclusively in the Japanese market) and Sony Xperia Pro-I

. Therefore, Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the third commercial phone equipped with a 1-inch sensor. However, it's the most complete version as Sony Xperia Pro-I, despite using a 1-inch sensor, had a too small lens (due to the device's size), resulting in the 1-inch sensor only utilizing 60% of its potential.

With the 1-inch sensor on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, the camera can achieve a resolution of up to 50.3 MP with pixel binning technology from the 12.5MP camera. This allows for better low-light sensitivity and the most realistic color reproduction.

1.2 Software and Camera Interface Features

According to advertisements, Xiaomi has partnered with Leica – a leading premium camera manufacturer worldwide. In Xiaomi 12S Ultra, Leica intervenes in the camera's shooting algorithm with Leica Vibrant and Leica Authentic shooting modes.

These modes will appear directly in the camera interface, and users need to distinguish these from 'color filter modes' to achieve different photo effects on the phone. These shooting modes are built on Leica's proprietary algorithm and deliver images with a distinct Leica quality.

Moreover, the camera interface of Xiaomi 12S Ultra also includes a variety of shooting modes, video recording options... catering to different user needs. In the advanced settings section, users will find a system of diverse parameter adjustments tailored for professional photographers using a phone.

2. Real-world Review of Xiaomi 12S Ultra Phone Camera Quality

With a plethora of integrated features, does the photo quality from the Xiaomi 12S Ultra phone truly satisfy users?

2.1 Daytime Photo Quality, Full of Brightness

With daytime photos, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra phone utilizes the 1-inch sensor and 'Leica quality' in its images. Let's see some examples below:

It's evident that regardless of the mode used, daytime photos from the Xiaomi 12S Ultra camera exhibit extremely sharp quality, wide color range, and smooth handling of light and dark areas.

2.2 Ultra-wide-angle Photos

The 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra phone doesn't disappoint users, delivering detailed photos comparable to the main camera. The panorama is expanded in all directions without any corner distortion, unlike other phone ultrawide cameras.

2.3 Zoom Shots

With a 48MP telephoto camera and up to 5x optical zoom, coupled with optical image stabilization, photos taken with zoom on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra phone are of excellent quality. Impressive sharpness and true-to-life colors make these photos appear as if they were taken normally, not zoomed in.

2.4 Portrait Shots, Background Blur

Portrait shots from the 12S Ultra are exceptionally good, with the main subject sharply focused while the background blur is done naturally. Additionally, the device offers various portrait modes, resulting in artistic photos akin to those taken with digital cameras.

2.5 Night Shot Quality

The night photo quality from the Xiaomi 12S Ultra phone camera is impeccable, both in terms of color rendition and the handling of light-to-dark transitions, exhibiting true artistry. There's no blurriness or color aberrations, unlike many other flagship cameras when capturing night scenes.

2.6 Selfie Photo Quality

The 32MP front camera sensor also delights users with artistic selfies. Besides photography, the front camera can double up as a professional-grade camcorder for live streaming and vlogging, thanks to its impressive recording modes and audio capture.

CONCLUSION

It's evident that even with minimal or no editing, Xiaomi 12S Ultra delivers exceptionally high-quality images, particularly in terms of detail, handling of light and dark areas, and color accuracy, comparable to high-end digital cameras available in the market today.

Therefore, if you're in need of a phone primarily for photography/videography purposes, Xiaomi 12S Ultra is undoubtedly an excellent choice for you.

(Note: Image source from the specialized website GSMArena).